#27- AN ARTISTS LIFE TURNS GOOD

Last night I finally made it back to Penny's. I'm living back up in Washington Heights and truth be told, it's a far hike down to the Lower East Side on a weekday. Even longer back home after midnight when the train goes local. Another truth, I'm not 20. Makes a difference. And when the clock strikes 9pm I'm thrilled if I'm home in my pajamas.

I've quit wheat. I've quit caffeine. I'm working on what could potentially be a revolutionary bazillion dollar business. I was also submitted to Saturday Night Live last week. I am running five days a week. I'm waitressing on the weekends and hob nobbing during the week. I teach and I direct actors, comedians, dancers, and musicians. Soon I'll be taking a novel writing class with my absolute favorite novel writer who I now know. All of this... yet when I live and breathe and rest for a moment all I want to perform. I want to sing songs, write monologues, or stare at someone for inspiration on the subway. I want to enter a stage and feel the quiet settle in as the knowing audience waits to be mystified and inspired. I want to lift the world and rip things up. I am here to do this. It's my job. I am here for my art and I run through the streets with a torch telling the world about it every day.

Last night, Alabaster Rhumb got up and sang. He really is haunting and lifting all at once. I noticed a maturity in him I hadn't noticed. Distinguished glasses. The grey is a bit more prominent in his well cut hair. He has settled into who he is as an artist and there's an incredible confidence. It's a confidence that only comes with a very well seasoned performer who has been through it. The battle scars of sacrifice for art are diamond cigarette burns. Hows that for an image?

He began by introducing his wife Patty to the audience. His wife? I knew of a wife in California but had never seen her before. They regular brood exclaimed PATTY! After he introduced her. Like the reception you might expect when you want into Cheers. It's how performers are saluted when the enter and exit the stage at Penny's'. She'll introduce me by saying, "And now, Samantha Jones." and the audience will exclaim "SAMANTHA JONES!". It's a tribute and it's nice. When Patty received it I thought maybe they all knew her. I found out later they hadn't met her before that moment, but she was with Alabaster so she was one of us.

Alabaster sang a song she requested and then talked to the audience about how life leads you to places you can never expect. He didn't go into it too deeply, but it was clear he was talking about Patty and him. He was so clearly happy with her being there and where they were in their relationship. Well whatever the heck he was talking about had to be investigated further. In the back yard.

The back yard of Under St. Marks is a piece of heaven in the Spring. When you push open the heavy metal door you can barely see more than silhouettes and smoke. Quiet rumblings in the crowd suggest an important and very secret meeting. I remember the first time I went out there I felt incredibly out of place. I knew no one except the two guys I brought with me. Standing with them was worse than standing alone because they were obviously nervous but acting NOT nervous. That makes things worse as far as I'm concerned. Last night was magical though. When I stepped into the backyard in the beginning of the night I was covered with kisses and love. That happens after awhile there. Those people protect each other and take a little bit to know and love new people. It's ok. It's like anything, quite frankly.

I asked Alabaster about what he said in his set. He told me his wife was an incredibly successful wine taster in California. An expert. On hr way up. Big time. He left to come to New York to pursue his heart, his music. He had to do it. It was his true passion. She must stay in California. But he said it was suddenly all so wonderful. They'd come to this point in their relationship where they can deal with the reality of life in their relationship. They realize that if their relationship somehow stops their true passions, well it's not meant to be. But he hoped it would all work together and bring them back to the same place one day. They point was, they are BOTH in the same frame of mind. Two brilliant people on their way up. On opposite sides of a continent. Instead if letting that hold them back they are using it as their strength. They are clearly turned on by each other and their success. He told me how much he loves her. But no matter what happens with them, he will always love her and wants to always be a part of her life.

A glimmer was in his eye. The possibilities are now endless. Marriage is not a shackle for them. They, I think, might be the best married couple I've ever met. I can remember being in a relationship for eight years and thinking I was trapped in a way. That I couldn't just get up and relocate or take a chance on something. How very sad. One thing the people in this scene are showing me is it's possible to find the right person to be with if you are indeed true to your art. really true. That person will come. They'll be attracted to your pursuit.

On that note, Penny and John got a studio apartment together. It's above a bar on Ludlow. I mention this because if two people were ever suited for each other it's these two. Why? Because they both said the best part about their new place is they can advertise each of their shows outside their window. They're on the second floor above a very busy bar. John plans to do a chicken suit striptease every night at 1am. Look for it...and flyers floating all over Ludlow. It's them.

I continue to be true to my art and pray all of my pursuits will make it possible for me to reach all over the world with my art. They maybe I can throw flyers outside my window that say "I DID IT!" Meanwhile, maybe I'll start looking for a place downtown ( :

#26- RAMBLINGS OF A GENTLEMAN SCUMBAG

I'm no critic. I'm a sponge for provocative performances. I love solo shows. Probably because I've found the format to be the perfect canvass for the inner workings of my creativity. Not every performer wants to do a solo show. Theres a band of us and most of us feel like we walk alone in life. Some of us are able to blend in on some level, but most of us are slaves to our deep understanding and raw awareness of the elements that seem to float past so many of us every day. Rain hits us differently and a home made meal can be like a love song.

John Murdoch is one of these people. When I first set eyes on him I was at Penny's Open Mic. He stood up and talked to us like we needed a talking to. I wasn't sure if he was a comedian, a storyteller, or a member of the Green party running for office. But I knew he was brilliant. Smart. On a mission. You look at John and you can see the scars of his choices which somehow make him even more handsome. When he lifts his head and you see his eyes, you see a man who has been loved very much, and for that he is grateful.

John says he whipped up this show in a week. Along with his partners in his company, A Muse Collective, this wasn't just one man. This was a collaboration. I come from collaboration. My company is passionate about it. When watching this show it was apparent to me how much they all want it to succeed. I'm pleasantly unsurprised when I looked at the program and all of the people I've been telling you all about all are a part of this collective. It's brilliant. Again, these are my people. I get them and we now have yet one more thing in common. A company. I hope they ask me to join the board...if they decide to have one ( ;

Let me say this about this show. It is important you see it. It captures the crassness of nightclubs, the dark side of wedding parties, the consequences of bad choices, what it feels like to almost die, finding your soul mate, the love of a mother, feminism, music, and a chicken. With John theres always a chicken.

John Murdoch is a force to be reckoned with. He has rallied his troupes and pulled his life lessons into a sensational hot bed of revelations.

This show will be up again in JUNE. A Muse Collective is going to produce a series of solo shows including this one. They are also taking the downtown scene to public access TV.

They're getting closer and closer...keep the porch light on and pack a suitcase. Yo'll want to join them once you see them. Trust me ( :